“Friends? You do not wish me to leave so you can take over the house? You do not wish to turn them against me?”
“Of course not. I’ve never seen a more qualified housekeeper and cook. I could never handle everything with the skills you do. You’ve been here a long time, Salina; they’re very fond of you. They know how special you are and how hard you work. They also know you love them and love working here. If you’re angry about Lynx, I’m sorry. Lynx has had a difficult time growing up. I’ve been trying to convince him to come home, that Rankin needs him on the ranch. But he wouldn’t listen. If you think I’m chasing him, you’re wrong.” If Lynx was the major problem between them, Calinda wanted to clear the air today.
“You are very beautiful. I saw how he watched you. It was as I feared; he desires you. You are a lady, and hombres hunger for them. He will not come to me with you here,” she voiced her jealousy.
“Desiring and loving are two separate things, Salina. Lynx doesn’t love me. I’m not sure he’s capable of loving any woman, at least not yet. I think his mother hurt him deeply; now, he doesn’t trust any woman. He’s afraid to feel anything or share himself. Even when he’s ready, I doubt he would select me.”
“But you also desire him, do you not?” Salina asked with a deceptively calm and sad voice. “If you wish, you could win him easily.”
“I like him very much, Salina. But Lynx is a mistrustful man. We’re very different. He is charming and handsome, but that doesn’t justify love. I only want him to be happy.”
“What if he chooses me? Would you stay here if he did?”
Calinda’s face betrayed her answer, but she didn’t voice one. “I don’t think we should discuss him like this, Salina. But I will promise you one thing; I won’t ever chase after him.”
Salina had her answers. She sighed dramatically and nodded. “You are right, Calinda. A woman cannot force a man to desire or love her. But I will promise you something; I will go after him until the day he marries another woman. Until then, he is free to be taken.”
Calinda couldn’t suppress a smile. “You and Lynx are much alike, Salina. You’re both proud and strong. You both know what you want and you go after it with all your might. I envy such daring.” Calinda had caught herself before including mercurial and stubborn on her list of similar traits. Could she trust Salina? The girl’s arguments were logical, even selfish; and Salina freely admitted to her feelings. Right now, they were both trapped in the middle. Calinda’s quest could solve many of their problems.
“Are you going to Lampasas?” Salina queried.
“I’m afraid to go, and I’m afraid not to go,” she replied honestly. “I don’t even know where it is or how to get there. It could be dangerous. If you recall, the first stage I rode here was robbed.”
“You said you envied my daring and courage. If you challenge nothing, you win nothing. Find the truth, Calinda. Then we can settle this confusion between us. I swear to hold my tongue silent.”
“But what if someone sees me or tells them? What if Rankin comes home early?” Calinda fretted aloud.
“I can not tell you what to do, Calinda. But I will help you. In doing so, I help myself. I can not risk earning their wrath, so I must deny everything if you get caught,” Salina reminded her.
“If I don’t get caught, you promise to say nothing? Even if I come back to the ranch?” Calinda pressed anxiously.
Salina withdrew a silver cross from beneath her blouse and held it tightly between her fingers as she said, “Upon this cross, I swear never to tell anyone where you went or why. If anyone should come home early, I will swear I know nothing of your departure. I swear only you will explain when you return, if you do.”
Calinda sighed with relief and gratitude. Salina demanded, “Now, you hold the cross and swear you will say nothing of my knowing such things.”
Calinda held the silver cross between her fingers and murmured softly, “I swear to tell no one of your knowledge or help.” She released the cross and sat down on the bed. “Now, all I have to do is figure out how to get to this Lampasas.”
“Manana, I must go to town to get more supplies. You can ride with me to the stage office. It will take you to Lampasas. But you must stay there or return in five days. I do not wish to lie to Senor Rankin unless it cannot be helped. Agreed?”
“Agreed. Thank you, Salina. I promise things will be better when I come home,” Calinda naively and wistfully implied.
Home, Salina mentally sneered. You will never return. Lampasas has many outlaws and dangers. One will surely claim you. He will see to it for me. Even if you escape this trap, you will return too late to keep their love and trust…
“You must pack tonight. We will leave as soon as the hands have left for the day. It is best no one sees you leave with me.” Salina eagerly planned the one-sided conspiracy.
“Will you have dinner with me tonight?” Calinda offered.
“That is not permitted, but muchas gracias. I have promised to see an amigo. If Lynx finds another woman, then I must be prepared with another man. I will soon be past my age of beauty when husbands are harder to find and trap,” she teased happily, knowing her revenge and dreams would soon be met, denying Calinda’s offer of friendship.
Calinda smiled and remarked, “You’re very smart, Salina.”
Salina left thinking, more than you know, senorita…
In Waco, Lynx was trying to reason with Major Jones, and having no success. For the past three days since Calinda’s departure, he had been working feverishly to complete this present mission. Finally today, he had gained the information and names which Jones needed. He had asked for a short leave on Monday, but had been refused. Now, he was asking again Thursday, but was receiving new orders instead.
“I’m sorry, Lynx, but you just had a leave home. I can’t spare you or another Ranger to take your place right now. I’ve got explosive problems all over the state threatening to go off at any time. I need you in Kimble County within the next few days. You’re the only Ranger those men won’t recognize. As soon as that fire’s put out in Junction, you must come back here. From Murphy’s reports, Bass is heading this way for the biggest job he’s ever pulled. If we don’t nail him this time, it could be ages before we sniff the right trail again.”
“What’s so vital in Kimble?” Lynx asked, annoyed but resigned. He had never been one to shirk his duty or to put personal feelings above them. Calinda would just have to wait another few weeks.
“You see all these letters?” he asked, directing Lynx’s attention to the sliding stack on his desk. When Lynx nodded, Jones continued. “They’re from terrified citizens, nervous local officials, and eagle-eyed Rangers. There’s been a heavy rain of fear and crimes in that county. You name it, and Kimble has it: rustling, robbery, murder and beatings. There’re so many outlaws operating in that area that the two Rangers I have assigned there can’t handle all of them. It’s like a viper’s nest; little snakes crawling all over and hiding everywhere. You’ve got desperados working alone and in gangs. The citizens are banding together and carrying weapons. Could be another vigilante or regulator group forming. You know what that means: violence and lynchings. Innocent people get caught in the middle, Lynx. Those people are so touchy, a sudden thunderstorm could set them off. What few lawbreakers the sheriff captures are stolen from jail and hung. Some of those men could be innocent. Things are getting out of hand, Lynx. I need you to scout around and report to Ranger Clark with any news. No one else, Lynx, just Clark,” he stressed.
“Yes sir. I’ll pack and leave at dawn,” he accepted his duty.
“Lynx, if it becomes necessary, use your badge. I don’t want you killed down there. But I hope to keep you a secret a while longer.”
“I understand, sir,” he said, then left.
That night, all Lynx could think about was Calinda. He tossed and turned until he was tense and exhausted. He worried over his distraction, as survival demanded a clear head. He wasn’t much good to anyo
ne in this state, especially himself. Calinda was proud and stubborn. He recalled a gleam in her eyes which troubled him. If he pulled out at dawn and rode hard, he could swing by the ranch before heading to Kimble. If he could just see her and talk with her a few minutes, he could settle her fears and his nerves. If things were that bad down Kimble way, he might not come out of this one alive or soon. He must see her again before riding into the face of death. He had to make certain she would wait at the ranch for him. If need be, he would give her a good reason to hang around, a promise of marriage. If he really pushed himself, his arrival in Kimble would be delayed only a few days. What could possibly happen in three days to change things?
After all he’d done for the Rangers, they owed him this one lapse. He loved Texas, the Rangers, and the law. But he also loved something else now. He chuckled to himself at that realization and admission; he actually loved Calinda Braxton. He had wasted a lot of years and emotions, but not any more. He would complete these last three assignments, then go home for good. Rankin was a sly devil; this time he was right. Calinda was the perfect woman for him.
It was like a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest. He felt deliriously happy and excited. He would hurry home and confess his love for her, then secure her promise to wait for him. Rankin should be delighted with his decisions to marry and come home soon. In fact, it was time to confide in his father about everything…
Nearing town that next morning, Salina reined in the team of horses and told Calinda to get out. “If Rankin questions anyone, I do not want us seen together. Just get home by Tuesday.”
“Thanks, Salina. If things do work out with my father, I’ll send word to you. I’ll sign the letter Maria. If they don’t, I’ll be at the stage office Tuesday afternoon. I’ll hire someone to bring me out to the ranch. If Rankin’s home, I’ll handle everything.”
“Do not forget your promise,” she cunningly reminded Calinda.
“I won’t. Thanks again. Goodbye.”
“Adios, Calinda,” the girl stated, thrilled by that word.
As Calinda made her way to the Butterfield Stageline, Salina headed for the telegraph office. Simultaneously, her deadly telegram was flying across the wires faster than the stage was carrying Calinda to her fate. By Saturday, Calinda would be at the Keystone Hotel and battling the dangerous surprise Salina had in store for her…
It was late Friday night when Lynx tied Star’s reins to the hitching post before his home. He quietly entered the house, trying not to alert Rankin until he had spoken with Calinda. He found her room empty and her bed rumple-free. It was late. Where was she? His heart began to drum madly. Surely she hadn’t…
He walked to Rankin’s room, whose bed and room were also empty. Could they be at a neighbor’s this late? Rankin’s mutual absence calmed his tension. He would wait for them. He poured himself a drink and stretched out in a chair. But his peaceful mood was transient; he fumed as he imagined Calinda with another man. She was beautiful and available, perhaps hurt by him or desperate to flee this ranch. Jealousy chewed at him. The hour passed to midnight without their arrival. Could they be on a trip somewhere? That was unlikely.
Lynx hated to disturb Salina this late, but he needed some answers. His time was limited and precious. Was there a problem? Since Rankin was also missing from home, it would cover his questions at this hour. Besides, it didn’t matter what Salina thought.
Salina opened her door without even asking who was there. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and stared at Lynx. “Lynx!” she squealed happily. “Entrar. When did you get home?” With Rankin and Cal gone, his timing was perfect. What a night they could share…
“Where is Rankin? I’ve been waiting to see him. I have to leave at first light.”
“He went to Graham Wednesday for the cattlemen’s meeting. He said to expect him home late next Wednesday or early Thursday. Shall I give him a message?” she offered.
“Did he take Calinda with him?” he tried to ask casually, his gut turning in dread. But he was too upset to care, even too distracted to notice the nearly naked Salina who was posing seductively before him.
“No. Are you sure you can not stay this time?” she coaxed. “You look tired, amante,” she noted, stepping closer to him.
“Then where is she?” he demanded, ignoring her sultry appeal.
“You have checked her room,” she concluded petulantly.
“I did. Where is she?” he demanded again, wondering if she had left the ranch or was out with another man. Both thoughts rankled.
Salina rested her back against the jamb, causing her ample bosom to flaunt itself as she revealed Cal’s departure. “Senorita Braxton irse hoy. She did not tell you?” she asked, feigning innocence.
“Where?” he shouted in disbelief.
“Que se yo, and I did not ask. I was ordered to leave her alone. You said she could come and go as she pleased. It pleased her to pack and leave today. Why are you screaming at me? I did not run her off. Ciertamente,” she stated defensively.
“She didn’t tell anyone where she was going or why?”
“I can not speak for Senor Rankin. Why would she tell me; we despised each other. Me allegre tanto,” she expressed her pleasure.
“How? When?” he probed, his fury and panic rising by the minute.
“She was packing when I went to town for supplies. I came home, she was gone. Es lastima,” she murmured sarcastically.
“Damn right, it’s a pity,” he mocked to irk her. “Come on, Salina, surely she said something to you?”
“Nada. When I saw her last, she was holding a letter in her hand. She told me she was leaving. It was not my place to pry or stop her. Maybe the letter was from Senor Rankin asking her to join him.”
“She would have told you. She didn’t say anything about someone coming for her?” he speculated. Was Salina devious or only delighted?
“No. But she must return. I was curious, so I checked her room. She did not take all of her clothes,” she hinted as if annoyed and disappointed. “Que te pasa?” she questioned his anxiety and interest.
“Who brought the letter?” he asked, recalling that curious fact.
She shrugged. “In case you forget, I have chores to occupy my time and attention. Maybe it was an old letter.”
That couldn’t be true, for he had thoroughly searched her room the last time he was home. Rankin was to check her mail, but he was gone. Where? Why leave secretly? “Tell me the truth, Salina,” he demanded fiercely, grabbing her shoulders and squeezing tightly, suspecting she knew something she wasn’t sharing.
“You hurt me, diablo. I know not where she is or why she left. I asked Charlie who took her away; he saw nothing. When I told him she had left, he asked the other men. None of the hands took her away or saw her leave. At least they said they did not.”
“Did Charlie say if there was a horse or carriage missing?”
“He checked; no. Someone must have come for her.”
“Que mas? She didn’t leave a note?” he suggested an overlooked clue as Salina shook her head.
“I saw nada when I cleaned. There is nothing more to say.”
“You didn’t by some chance get rid of it like you did mine?” he asked, his teeth clenched tightly as his rage increased. He captured her wrist and put pressure on it until she cried out in discomfort.
“No!” she panted. “I swear she left no note. If you do not believe me, look for yourself. Or ask her when she comes back.”
“If she doesn’t return, that would suit you just fine, wouldn’t it?”
“Si! She causes trouble. I hope she never shows her face again. Why are you so eager to see her tonight? If you made her mad the last time you were home, she took her time leaving. She knows Senor Rankin will be home next week. Maybe she just took a little trip while he was gone. Maybe she has another amante somewhere.”
Lynx threw her backwards against the door before he could stop himself. “Don’t you dare talk about Cal that way! She’ll be ba
ck.”
Salina’s eyes widened in astonishment. “You love her!” she shouted in spiteful jealousy. “You came home to see her, not Rankin.” Salina burst into chilling laughter. “So, the wary Lynx has gotten himself trapped by a sneaky zorra. Digame, Lynx, what will you do if she has run off with another hombre and made a fool of you?”
“Calinda isn’t like you, Salina,” he stated insultingly.
“How do you know what she does when you are not home? She did sneak off. I wonder how she will explain it when she returns, if she does. Que le vaya bien, bestia,” she mockingly wished him good luck.
“If I discover you had anything to do with this, you’ll be sorry,” he warned, then stalked off.
He went to the bunk-house and aroused Charlie. He fumed when he got the same answers from Charlie as he had gotten from Salina. But Charlie added another alarming clue; Calinda’s odd actions the day before leaving. Had she been expecting someone? Had she merely checked to see if the hands had noticed anything suspicious? He told Charlie to search for Calinda and bring her home if he found her, by force if necessary. Charlie was confused by those orders, but promised to carry them out, scratching his head as Lynx swaggered to the house.
Lynx couldn’t sleep, so he mounted up and rode off. If Calinda had packed clothes, she wouldn’t be returning tonight or tomorrow. The letter Salina had mentioned worried him. Could it be from Brax? Or the Simpsons? Did Calinda know where to locate her father? Had she gone to meet him? Rankin wouldn’t send for her in secret or without an escort. Why would she rush off without leaving word? Maybe she just used Rankin’s absence to flee the ranch. Maybe they had quarreled. No, Calinda would keep her vow of silence; she would wait for Lynx to return before leaving the ranch. Something was going on, but what? It was doubtful she would take off alone.
There was only one rational explanation: Brax. After what Calinda had gone through, she wouldn’t hurry into danger without good reason. If Brax had returned and told her the truth, it would ruin everything. He wanted to search for her, but he didn’t have the time. Without clues, it could take days or weeks to track her down. There was nothing he could do but wait and pray, pray she loved him and trusted him enough to return to the ranch. At least she should grant him the chance to explain and to prove his love. Since she had left things behind, it must mean she planned to return. There was another possibility; she might be looking for a job to halt her dependence on them. If so, she would send word or come back. All he could do was head for Kimble and Junction, then telegraph Charlie for news. He wished he hadn’t come home; he was more distracted now than before!
First Love Wild Love Page 16
